2024 Legislative Platform
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
P Murrieta City Council
Lisa DeForest
Council Member
Lori Stone
Mayor
Cindy Warren
Mayor Pro Tempore
Jon Levell
Council Member
Ron Holliday
Council Member
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 5 PRIORITY LIST. .......................................................................................................... 6 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM ............................................................................... 7 ATTACHMENT A: ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ATTACHMENT B: ASSESSMENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ATTACHMENT C: 2024 LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
INTRODUCTION
4 Murrieta is a young and vibrant community ideally located at the junction of the I‐15 and I‐215 freeways. Since its incorporation in 1991, Murrieta has experienced a dramatic increase in population, making it one of the most populous cities in Riverside County. Near San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County markets, Murrieta has a rigorous economic development program that has successfully attracted a Costco, two Home Depots, a Trader Joe’s, and recently helped cut the ribbon on the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort.
With a heavy focus on public safety, Murrieta is consistently recognized as one of the safest cities in the country thanks to high‐performing police and fire departments. Murrieta’s dual freeway exposure allows businesses to enjoy a healthy economic base while providing residents with various available services, leading to an exceptional quality of life. In addition, upscale yet affordable housing paired with a nationally recognized school district makes Murrieta a highly desirable community to raise families. With a population of almost 120,000, Murrieta boasts an educated, high‐income population comparable to communities in San Diego and Orange Counties.
To compete on a local, national, and global stage the City of Murrieta works diligently to strategically position itself politically through a variety of means. An important component to the future success of the City is working closely with our representatives for the State of California and the U.S. Federal government. Each year the City Council adopts a Legislative Platform to assist in these efforts.
MURRIETA CITY COUNCIL
FY 2024/25 GOALS
Provide a high level of innovative public safety
Aggressively pursue economic development
Maintain a high‐performing organization that values fiscal sustainability,transparency, accountability, and organizational efficiency
Plan, program, and create infrastructure development
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services Foster and promote an engaged, connected, and caring community 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TheCityofMurrietahas its sights sethighforthe future.TheCity continues togrowdespitesome signs of economic weakening in the state and other regions of the country, creating new economic opportunities for businesses and residents. As resources expand to accommodate the reality of new demands, the City Council believes fiscal prudence and quality job creation is paramount to the success of our community. The City is focused on not just attracting new businesses, but also helping existing businesses maintain success. A key to the City’s success is dependent on the ability to develop effective partnerships with state and federal representatives and ability to engage in public policy discussions to influence legislative outcomes. Recognizing the importance of promoting priorities, the City develops a Legislative Program consistent with the City’s General Plan, City Council goals, and other strategic documents, which focuses on the overarching principles of prudent fiscal stability, protection of local control and transparent government. The purpose of this documentis to create a plan that positions the City to be able to take advantage of funding opportunities and provide input on legislation in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. . To that end, the Legislative Program provides the intergovernmental approach to implement the political and legislative strategy of the City.
This Legislative Program is presented in three parts. The first section contains the City’s priority projectlist. These vital projects need the attention of both state and federal governments. The second section is the City’s Legislative Platform (Platform). The Platform is the Murrieta City Council’s declared policies providing legislative objectives for the 2024 legislative sessions and provides direction for the City’s legislative representatives and advocates as they work to secure strategic initiatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. The Platform is intended to establish and formalize the City’s positions on issues that are currently or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the State or federal governments. The Platform streamlines the City’s advocating efforts by enabling City staff to take immediate action on pressing legislative items efficiently and without delay under City Council direction. The purpose of the Platform is to further the adopted goals and objectives of the City Council by providing direction and guidance to City officials and staff. The last sections, noted as “Attachment A” and “Attachment B,” contain assessments of the state and federal government, the political landscape, and anticipated issues and challenges of particular concern to local government.
Together, these pieces make the City’s Legislative Program. Established within the Program is the protocol that determines the level of engagement the City Council wishes to commit to accomplish its legislative goals. The protocol develops a long‐term strategy to seek Federal and State appropriations and gives the City’s Ad‐hoc legislative workgroup a coordinated plan for advancing projects. With the dynamic growth of the City in recent years and planned development in the future, the City’s Legislative Program is aimed at securing legislative policies and resources that will help the City manage this growth, fund critical infrastructure needs, keep the City safe and maintain and enhance the quality‐of‐life residents have come to enjoy.
PRIORITY LIST
6 Through the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), major projects are planned for a period of five years. The Priority List below includes important projects of regional significance listed within the CIP that do not have sufficient funding. These projects are in various stages of planning and/or construction and could provide immediate job creation opportunities if funding were made available. The list is in order of priority.
KELLER ROAD INTERCHANGE ON I‐215
Total cost: $497 million Status: Environmental analysis and documentation – July 2024 Funds committed: $18.4 million
The Keller Road/I‐215 Interchange project is located in northern Murrieta, just south of the City of Menifee, and proposes north and southbound on and off‐ramps from the I‐215 freeway to Keller Road. Keller Road currently exists as a two‐lane underpass on I‐215. Once the interchange is constructed, the ramps will provide critical emergency access to Loma LindaHospital,the future KaiserHospital and numerous medical offices and facilities. improved access to current and planned hotel accommodations, medical offices, and research and development operations.
MURRIETA CREEK
Total cost: $117 million Status: Phase II B is currently being designed, reevaluated, and reviewed for funding Phase II A completed in 2019/20
City committed funding: $15 million (Ivy and Guava bridges) Murrieta Creek poses a severe flood threat to the cities of Murrieta and Temecula, where overflow flooding from this undersized creek has periodically wreaked havoc, most recently in 1993 when flood‐related damages cost nearly $20 million. In 2014, a unique funding opportunity called “acceleration” was approved that allows the Riverside County Flood Control District to front the local share of funding for the project to begin construction of phase II. Phase II was divided into two phases. Funding for the completion of Phase II, III and IV will continue to be the highest priority. This collaborative project between the Corps of Engineers,the County of Riverside, and the cities of Murrieta and Temecula is estimated to total over $100 million. When complete, it will provide flood control between the two cities and serve as the lynchpin for regional economic development.
LOS ALAMOS SPORTS PARK, PHASE II
Total cost: $TBD Status: Phase II is currently being evaluated for environmental impacts.
City committed funding: $200,000
Los Alamos Hills Sports Park is the City’s largest sports complex with various full‐sized sports fields, open spaces and park amenities. Phase II ofthe project would extend the complex beyond its currently designed footprint and add more full‐sized soccerfields for youth and adult use. The projectis currently working its way through environmental agencies which has faced many delays Once constructed Phase II will make Los Alamos a premier sport complex focused on soccer training, tournaments and injury rehabilitation activities. 7 2023 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
The 2024 Legislative Platform reflects the Murrieta City Council’s declared policy positions. The purpose of the Platform is to further advance the adopted goals and objectives ofthe City Council by providing direction and guidance to City officials and staff while considering legislation pending at the state and federal levels. The Platform will enable City staff to efficiently affect legislative bills based on the overarching principles of prudent fiscal stability, protection of local control and transparent government.
1. General Government:
a. Local Control: Oppose legislation which preempts local control including, but not limited to, land‐use planning, formation of a charter city and local public meeting procedures. Support legislation which provides greater local control, including but not limited to, reorganization of special districts, labor relations, city council vacancies, and interagency cooperation. b. Workers' Compensation: Oppose legislation which would increase employee benefits without system reforms which would offset increased employer costs.
c. Unemployment Insurance: Oppose legislation which would increase employer liability for unemployment compensation, or which would reduce local discretion to manage this risk. d. Presumptive Eligibility for Disability: Oppose legislation which would provide presumptive eligibility for the award of benefits for Workers' Compensation or other employee health benefits. e. Abandoned Vehicles: Oppose legislation which would eliminate abandoned vehicle programs and a local government’s ability to immediately remove abandoned vehicles. f. Eminent Domain: Oppose legislation that would further restrict the use of eminent domain to acquire land not zoned for residential use for redevelopment purposes. g. Vehicle Sales on Public Streets: Support legislation that would provide local jurisdictions with increased authority to regulate the sale of automobiles on public streets. h. Mortgage Lenders: Support legislation that would require mortgage lenders to adopt a uniform tracking method for mortgage instruments which enables local government to reliably locate owners of title.
i. Tax Increment Funding: Support legislation that would support new financing tools and programs that would encourage economic development through tax increment financing. j. Community Block Grant Funding: Oppose legislation to decrease Federal Community Block Grant funding.
k. Storm Water Fees: Support legislation that would include storm water fees among the types of fees exempt from voting requirements imposed by Proposition 218. l. Accountability And Transparency: Support legislation to hold the State of California and State agencies to the same transparency and accountability standards as cities. m. Design‐Build: Support legislation that provides authority to general law cities to utilize the design‐ build process for public works construction projects and other city Capital Improvement Projects. 8 n. Public Noticing: Support legislation promoting alternative and electronic posting and noticing of public hearings and meetings, including online posting. o. Tort Reform: Support tort reform efforts specific to ending frivolous lawsuits aimed at municipalities. p. COVID‐19: Support measures that provide relief to businesses and the City due to impacts of COVID‐
19. p.q. Government Efficiency: Support measures which promote local government operational efficiency and effectiveness.
2. Immigration: Call upon the Federal government to cast off partisan rhetoric and demonstrate leadership by definitively solving the immigration crisis that has adversely impacted local jurisdictions, especially the City of Murrieta. Enactment of a comprehensive, cohesive immigration policy shall:
a. Recognize that people are going to attempt to enter the United States of America, risking life and property, because of the opportunity that has been historically achieved by all races and nationalities; b. Recognize the Rule of Law, and the processes that have been established, by the various federal government agencies, and does not establish an automatic amnesty program, but instead seeks to promote education and the advancement of mankind in general as an obligation of a civilized society; c. Provide a consistent, humanitarian mechanism to those that want to integrate into our country and swear an oath of allegiance;
d. Be based on self‐evident principles that all men are created equal, that they endeavor to prosper, and that a responsible citizenship the keystone to our Republic.
3. Local Government Finance:
a. Oppose any measure that would make local agencies more dependent on the State for financial stability and policy direction.
b. Oppose all realignment efforts by the State when the full and necessary funding is not appropriated in advance.
c. Oppose measures that would impose State and Federal mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits (i.e., unfunded mandates). d. Oppose any measure that restricts or limits a public entity’s ability to use tax‐exempt debt or tax increment financing for the purchase or construction of public purpose improvements. e. Support efforts which make funds to support public facilities more available to local municipalities including, but not limited to libraries and open space. f. Oppose any measure that would divert local funds to the State, or any other entity, to balance its budget.
9 g. Oppose efforts that either increase the City’s liability or decrease outside parties’ liability concerning municipal finances.
h. Oppose any change in tax allocations, which would negatively affect local government. i. Support legislation to stabilize State and local government financing, to increase funding to local agencies in an equitable manner, and to permit the most cost‐efficient management of State‐ mandated programs.
j. Support a statutory or constitutional redistribution of property tax revenues which more equitably reflects local government responsibilities.
k. Support legislation to improve payments‐in‐lieu revenue to local governments that have the responsibility to provide local government services for State and county facilities. l. Oppose legislation which would reduce local discretion over locally imposed taxes such as transient occupancy tax.
m. Support Federal legislation which would require states to distribute Federal pass‐through funds in an equitable manner to local subdivisions of the State.
n. Oppose legislation which would restrict or eliminate the availability of traditional government financing instruments or practices.
o. Support legislation that would redistribute State and Federal revenues to better meet local government responsibilities.
p. Support any measure that would provide greater local control over how local funds are expended. q. Support legislation that would protect or propose any constitutional amendment that provides a guarantee for local government finances.
r. Support legislation that would reform or increase transparency and accountability into the legislative appropriations process.
s. Support legislation that would remove the barrier to use in‐house staff for public works construction contracts over $5,000.
t. Oppose any attempts or measures that seek to weaken or reverse Proposition 13, Proposition 187, or other Constitutional provisions that strengthen taxpayer protections, or whose purpose is to raise tax revenues at the expense of the residential or business community. u. Oppose any legislation in regard to short‐term residential rentals that creates a cost burden to local government services.
v. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protection in public contracts.
w. Oppose legislation that would prohibit, or limit, local governments’ ability to contract out for the provision of services.
10 4. Economic Development:
a. Support legislation that supports local businesses and industry, including measures that remove barriers allowing local industries to sell goods and services internationally (i.e., free trade agreements).
b. Support additional efforts to provide local governments with the tools necessary for economic development.
c. Support legislation and efforts to re‐establish tax increment financing and other economic development tools.
d. Support military installations located within Riverside County for the economic, public safety and training benefits they provide.
e. Support all attempts to bring higher education opportunities to the region.
5. Labor Relations:
a. Oppose any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits that are more properly decided at the local level.
b. Support legislation modifying the Fair Labor Standards Act to permit adjustable work schedules to meet the needs of management and labor and to eliminate prospective and retroactive overtime payments.
c. Oppose legislation that imposes further restrictions on local jurisdictions (or adds additional burdens) on employer/employee negotiations.
6. Transportation:
a. Call upon the federal government to fix the outdated, inefficient, and insolvent highway trust fund. b. Support measures that provide local and regional funding opportunities for local transportation and system projects.
c. Support legislation that provides for a more equitable distribution of Federal and State highway funds that considers population growth as well as location of sales and gas tax generation. d. Oppose measures that attempt to raise federal and/or State revenues for transportation funding through new or increased taxes or fees. For instance, oppose any measure that seeks to implement a vehicle‐miles‐traveled tax/fee in addition to current gas taxes, rather than supplanting current formulas.
11 7. Land Use Planning:
a. Support efforts to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt and implement fiscal plans for orderly growth, development, beautification, and conservation of local planning areas, including, but not limited to, the regulatory authority over zoning, subdivisions, annexations, and redevelopment areas.
b. Support efforts which are consistent with the doctrine of“home rule” and the local exercise of police powers, through planning and zoning processes, over local land use. c. Support legislation that would provide additional resources, including adequate funding, to local agencies to address regional growth issues such as air quality, water quality, air pollution, transportation corridors, and homelessness.
d. Support legislation that would authorize local agencies to establish regional authorities to address growth management issues on a voluntary basis.
e. Oppose legislation that would require local governments to compensate property owners for the effects of zoning and ordinary local land use control.
f. Support legislation that would give the City increased control over congregate care facilities, such as group homes.
g. Oppose legislation that penalizes a city if units identified in the Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA) are not constructed.
h. Oppose legislation, regulatory proposals, or administrative actions that limit or eliminate local discretionary review of the installation of small cell wireless equipment or any wireless technology facilities on public infrastructure or in the public right of way. i. Oppose legislation that would allow for more than one residential unit in single‐family residential zones, such as allowed by previous legislative actions like SB 9.
8. Housing:
a. Support efforts to develop Federal and State participation and financial support for creative programs to provide adequate, affordable housing (home ownership, rental opportunities, rehabilitation, and homeless assistance) for the elderly, handicapped, public sector employees, and low‐income persons throughout the community.
b. Support efforts that increase the City’s ability to reasonably oversee the location of community care facilities.
c. Support clean up legislation to increase financial thresholds that trigger prevailing wage requirements.
d. Support efforts to increase the maximum home sale price allowed under all federal and state home ownership funded programs.
e. Supportlegislation that would eliminate the prevailing wage requirement on low‐income housing. 12 f. Support state and federal legislation that allows reasonable state and local government oversight of sober living homes including licensing, location, and occupancy limits similar to state licensing requirements for Community Care Facilities.
9. Law Enforcement and Judicial:
a. Support efforts which strengthen local law enforcement including, but not limited to the regulation of sales or manufacturing of dangerous drugs; prevention of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; criminal gang activity; the sharing of criminal history information between states; registration of sex offenders; the provision of a greater share of seized assets to localities; cost recovery from the guilty party when alcohol or drugs are present; increased sentences for criminals involved in activities such as violence, gang, narcotics, or repeated offenses; and the increase of county jail and State prison capacities, as well as new prison construction.
b. Oppose legislation that would impede local law enforcement from addressing crime problems and recovering costs resulting from a crime committed by the guilty party. c. Supportlegislation that establishes greater City Council latitude in setting speed limits. d. Supportlegislation to vigorously oppose the early release of prisoners. e. Support measures to increase the capacity of the judicial branch in Riverside County to address the shortage of judges and staff, and implement programs and incentives to retain experienced judges. f. Support efforts to develop, implement, and improve a federal worker eligibility verification process to ensure eligible employees are hired by businesses in the most efficient manner possible.
Additionally, support legislation providing administrative authority to local jurisdictions to allow, as a condition of issuing a business license, a mandatory worker eligibility verification process. g. Support legislation that would provide added security measures to protect residents against terrorist activity, including making funding available for improved equipment and increased personnel costs. h. Support legislation that limits the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses in areas of high crime or where excessive numbers of licenses exist.
i. Support action that rectifies the federal government’s position on medical and recreational marijuana, the State government’s position, and previous voter approved initiatives. Without clear guidance and action, local jurisdictions continue to be stuck in a complex web of litigation with diminutive local control.
j. Support legislative efforts to address the negative impacts of AB 109, Proposition 47, and Proposition 57 on local governments and provide local law enforcement with the appropriate tools to reduce criminal activity.
k. Oppose legislation that would decrease funding to the various Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs.
13 l. Support legislation that offers drug offenders a chance to avoid a criminal conviction by entering a treatment program that is supervised by a special court, also known as drug court. Drug court was essentially eliminated with proposition 47 and its elimination has led to more addicted individuals on our streets.
m. Oppose legislation that would allow public access to unencrypted, or sensitive law enforcement information over law enforcement communication systems. (Senate Bill 1000 was defeated in 2022 and will be resubmitted in 2023)
n. Support legislation that recognizes mental health treatment non‐compliance and addresses the state, county and/or city’s inability to detain and assist those individuals that are refusing to take prescribed medication for a mental health disorder.
10. Fire Service:
a. Support legislation which increases home rule in adopting Fire and Life Safety Codes. b. Support legislation that provides funding or home rule provisions to previously approved fire or EMS legislation or propositions (such as funding for Murrieta through Prop 172 funds and transportation rights to cities incorporated after 1980).
c. Support efforts which strengthen local fire and life safety services, including providing for greater local control over emergency medical and ambulance services to ensure the residents of Murrieta receive the highest possible level of emergency care.
d. Oppose legislation that restricts local authority jurisdiction over the enforcement of fire and life safety regulations.
e. Support legislation that provides funding for terrorism response training, with broad interpretations of training curriculums.
f. Support legislation that provides funding assistance to local agencies to increase firefighter staffing levels.
g. Oppose legislation that would decrease funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program within the Department of Homeland Security.
h. Support legislation that promotes national fire code development using an open, consensus‐based process.
i. Supportlegislation that promotes the installation of fire sprinklers in new non‐residential buildings. j. Supportlegislation that requires maintenance of defensible space in wildfire‐prone areas. k. Supportregional efforts to improve interoperability of voice and data communications equipment. l. Support measures that provide funding to local agencies for training, effective disaster preparedness, homeland security, and emergency planning.
14 11. Social Service Programs:
a. Support legislation providing an equitable distribution of State and Federal program resources to prevent and treat alcohol and drug abuse.
b. Encourage and support the implementation of regional social service programs and multiple task force groups on the issues of bullying, autism, and other matters where greater attention has not yet been achieved but impacts the region as a whole. Additionally, support comprehensive approaches to social services where solutions include collaborative partnerships between parents, children, educational and governmental participation.
c. Oppose all efforts of social service and program realignment where funding has not been fully appropriated.
d. Support legislation that addresses the complex issues of homelessness from a regional perspective that employ best practice strategies to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by; preventing homelessness of those at risk; providing emergency and supportive housing; expanding affordable permanent housing; and promoting self‐empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services.
e. Support legislation that would provide increased funding to public safety agencies to enhance training to address community needs such as mental health and homelessness.
12. Resource Conservation and Management:
a. Support measures that increase the water supply or improve water quality within the region, such as new desalinization plants and additional storage.
b. Support efforts that encourage the use of energy and water conservation techniques, as long as those measures do not contain unnecessary punitive measures to residents, business owners and local agencies.
c. Support legislation that would protect consumers and small business owners and end excessive energy and water charges.
d. Support legislation that enables the construction of energy‐producing facilities needed to meet the growing demand, in a timely manner.
e. Support Federal and State programs and legislation that encourage the use of commercially viable, new clean energy technology, if such clean technology has proven to be cost‐efficient. f. Support legislation promoting local control of siting waste treatment facilities, hazardous materials rules and regulations, and providing funds for site planning. g. Support measures that provide greater local control in meeting the environmental needs of the community, i.e., recycling/reclaiming of natural resources and energy efficiency measures. h. Oppose legislation that imposes undue hardship on local agencies to implement environmental regulations.
15 i. Oppose measures to mandate extended producer responsibility or product stewardship legislation. j. Support regional Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs that provide private funding for energy and water retrofits.
j.k. Support Water Districts’ efforts to secure funding for water infrastructure projects.
13. Parks and Recreation Programs:
a. Support legislation that provides adequate and consistent funding to support the acquisition, development, and operation and maintenance requirements of recreation, parks, and community services agencies at the local, State, and Federal levels. b. Support legislation that protects or enhances the current interests in a variety of areas including the Subdivision Map Act, the Naylor Act, and tort liability. Also support legislation that enhances funding through programs such as the Roberti‐Z'Berg‐Harris Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. c. Supportlegislation that provides funding to support public art, both performing and visual. d. Support legislation that provides funding for, or otherwise assists, the preservation of historical sites and buildings.
e. Support legislation that provides funding or otherwise promotes programs to address and increase the level of physical activity among our community’s children.
14. Regional and InternationalGovernance
a. Supportlegislation thatreflects a positive, collective, and cohesive approach to regional solutions, as long as local control is maintained.
b. Support efforts to encourage and promote sister‐city relationships to maximize cultural and business partnerships via Memorandums of Understanding.
c. Support measures that would provide enhances transparency and performance evaluation of county‐run programs and services. Support efforts to provide equitable funding from counties to cities to address public health, including mental health and homelessness issues. Support efforts to enhance communication between counties and cities.
ATTACHMENT A: ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The 2024 Legislative Session saw over 32,000 bills introduced. In finalizing his actions on legislation, the Governor signed 997 nearly 400 bills and vetoed 169 bills.
20234 is the first second of a two‐year legislative session. Anticipated themes for the California legislature this year include a heavy focus on the State budget deficit, more on housing; homelessness and mental health; and alleged price gouging for natural gas; and the projected State budget deficit.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), which is an independent, non‐partisan government agency that provides fiscal and policy advice to the Legislature, anticipates that the State’s budget deficit for 2023‐2024 will be $6824 billion. The Governor has provided a budget with a projected deficit of $38 billion.
ISSUES AND PROJECTIONS FOR 20243:
Lawmakers will continue to build on efforts to address homelessness and increase affordable housing production in order to help local agencies address the issue. Accountability will be a common theme and the Governor will expect results.
Additional pressure will be placed on cities to meet Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals. Investments will be made to support climate resiliency including policies to reduce pollution. Transportation resources will be reduced and new funding streams may be identified, like “vehicle miles traveled” funding models.
Lawmakers will make investments in public safety to reduce the proliferation of organized retail theft and will introduce legislation to trace and reprimand illegal firearm possession and distribution. Attention will be drawn to addressing supply chain resiliency, andcannabis tax reform and retail expansion. Legislative proposals that seek to restrict the use of K‐9 units and other public safety personnel. Budget fluctuations that may impact ongoing and multi‐year investments for various state programs, including legislative directed spending.
The Legislature will consider various bond proposals, including housing, education, and climate measures. Leaders will continue their work on governance and transparency legislation to address public meeting requirements and Brown Act reforms.
The Legislature and Governor will continue to focus its attention on the fentanyl crisis and implement policies to reduce substance abuse.
ATTACHMENT B: ASSESSMENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
17 Prepared by Townsend Public Affairs, the City of Murrieta’s Federal legislative advocacy consultant.
Politics will take center stage in 2024 as elections for President, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate, impact policymaking across the country.
2023 was a tumultuous year in Congress, where slim majorities made negating bipartisan compromise difficult. Many decisions were deferred to 2024 and congress will have to address many unresolved issues in the context of an election year. These issues include everything government funding to national agriculture and nutrition policy. Many of the most difficult decisions will likely be left until after the November elections when the pressure of the campaign is lifted.
Although legislating will likely see little progress in 2024, the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process will provide an opportunity for the City of Murrieta to engage in Federal policymaking. The practice of Community Project Funding will continue. This allows Members of Congress can request funding for specific projects in their states and district.
Also known as Congressionally Directed Spending in the Senate, the City has been successful in past fiscal years and can look to again engage with lawmakers to advance the city’s funding needs.
A divided Congress lends itself to increased administrative action and Congressional oversight activities. House Republicans will ramp up a robust oversight agenda to put a spotlight on the Biden Administration and such actions as presidential actions abroad, President Biden’s family business arrangements, and Big Tech. The Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government and Select Committee on China will provide an extra layer of focus on these issues. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration can be expected to use its authorities to weigh in on priorities through executive orders, rulemaking, and litigation.
In the Federal political arena, California will see a new Senator elected, with several high‐profile Democrats vying for the seat currently held by Senator Laphonza Butler who announced that she would not seek a full term to the Senate after being appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023. The election is expected to have cascading effects on many levels of government throughout the State, as elected officials create vacancies to pursue other offices.
Issues and Projections:
The debate over federal funding will continue to play an outsized role in federal policy making as gridlock stifles other legislation.
Must‐pass reauthorizations such as the Farm Bill, Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, FY24 appropriations, National Defense Authorization Act, and the 2024 Water Resources Development Act will see movement even in a divided congress.
Immigration, aid to international allies, tax policy, tech policy and water legislation could see limited bipartisan action.
2024 TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE AND THE OFFICE OF THE ASSEMBLY CHIEF CLERK Revised 11/4/22
DEADLINES
Jan. 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
Jan. 3 Legislature Reconvenes (J.R. 51(a)(4)).
Jan. 10 Budget must be submitted by Governor (Art. IV, Sec. 12(a)).
Jan. 12 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house in the odd-numbered year (J.R. 61(b)(1)).
Jan. 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Jan. 19 Last day for any committee to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year (J.R. 61(b)(2)).
Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel.
Jan. 31 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year (J.R. 61(b)(3), (Art. IV, Sec. 10(c)).
Feb. 16 Last day for bills to be introduced (J.R. 61(b)(4), (J.R. 54(a)).
Feb. 19 Presidents’ Day.
Mar. 21 Spring Recess begins upon adjournment of this day’s session (J.R. 51(b)(1)).
Mar. 29 Cesar Chavez Day observed.
Apr. 1 Legislature Reconvenes from Spring Recess (J.R. 51(b)(1)).
Apr. 26 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(5)). *Holiday schedule subject to Senate Rules committee approval
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2024 TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE AND THE OFFICE OF THE ASSEMBLY CHIEF CLERK Revised 11/4/22
*Holiday schedule subject to Senate Rules committee approval May 3 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to the floor non-fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(6)).
May 10 Last day for policy committees to meet prior to May 28 (J.R. 61(b)(7)).
May 17 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(8)).
Last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to May 28 (J.R. 61(b)(9)).
May 20- 24 Floor Session only. No committees, other than conference or Rules committees, may meet for any purpose (J.R. 61 (b)(10)).
May 24 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house (J.R. 61(b)(11)).
May 27 Memorial Day.
May 28 Committee meetings may resume (J.R. 61(b)(12)).
June 15 Budget Bill must be passed by midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 12(c)(3)).
June 27 Last day for a legislative measure to qualify for the Nov. 5 General Election ballot (Elections Code Sec. 9040).
July 3 Last day for policy committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(b)(13)).
Summer Recess begins upon adjournment provided Budget Bill has been passed (J.R. 51(b)(2)).
July 4 Independence Day.
Aug. 5 Legislature Reconvenes from Summer Recess (J.R. 51(b)(2)).
Aug. 16 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(b)(14)).
Aug. 19-31 Floor Session only. No committees, other than conference and Rules committees, may meet for any purpose (J.R. 61(b)(15)).
Aug. 23 Last day to amend on the floor (J.R. 61(b)(16)).
Aug. 31 Last day for each house to pass bills. (Art.
IV, Sec. 10(c), (J.R. 61(b)(17)).
Final Recess begins upon adjournment (J.R. 51(b)(3))
JULY
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
AUGUST
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
MAY
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
JUNE
S M T W TH F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 2024 TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE AND THE OFFICE OF THE ASSEMBLY CHIEF CLERK Revised 11/4/22
IMPORTANT DATES OCCURRING DURING FINAL STUDY RECESS
2024
Sept. 30 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature before Sept. 1 and in the Governor’s possession on or after Sept. 1 (Art. IV, Sec. 10(b)(2)).
Nov. 5 General Election
Nov. 30 Adjournment Sine Die at midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 3(a)).
Dec. 2 12 Noon convening of the 2025-26 Regular Session (Art. IV, Sec. 3(a)). 2025
Jan. 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).